D3283: Investigation of peanut burrower bug, Pangaeus bilineatus (Hemiptera: Cydnidae), biology and behavioral ecology in the laboratory

Peanut burrower bug (PBB), Pangaeus bilineatus Say (Hemiptera: Cydnidae), is a severe pest of peanut, Arachis hypogaea L., in the Southeast US. Adults and nymphs feed directly on peanut seed with piercing-sucking mouthparts reducing seed quality and value. Little is known of the insect’s biology; therefore, multiple studies were conducted to describe PBB developmental biology, morphometrics, fecundity, longevity, and behavioral ecology. Adults were paired in 266 mL resealable plastic containers (11×8×5cm) with screened lids, 70g of sterile sandy loam soil wetted to ~15% VWC, and raw peanut seed for food. To define PBB life cycle, fresh eggs were collected each day from colony. To define fecundity and longevity, virgin adults were collected by maturing 5th instar nymphs in isolation, then placed in containers. In either study, containers were checked daily for eggs, nymphs, and adults; date, time, no. of eggs, no. of nymphs and their life stage, and/or no. of adults were recorded. Development from oviposition to adult completed in 39.5 ± 3.0 days through 5 nymphal instars. Instars last 3.7–8.7 days and head capsule width (0.46–1.68 mm) progressively increases as nymphs age. Females produced a mean total of 129.0 ± 80.8 eggs and female longevity was 88.7 ± 31.2 days. Behavioral ecology studies indicate first instar nymphs need an adult female present to molt to successive instars. All studies were conducted in a growth chamber on a 14:10 L:D cycle, a constant temperature of 29°C, and 55% RH ± 10%.